Physiological Quality of Swingle Citrumelo Seed after Refrigerated Storage of Fruits and Seeds

Marilia Morelli,Fernando Alves De Azevedo,Ana Julia Borim De Souza,Patrícia Marluci Da Conceição,Rodrigo Martinelli

doi:10.3390/agriculture11121243

Marilia Morelli, Fernando Alves De Azevedo + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11121243

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Abstract

For citrus, there is no definition of the ideal fruit harvesting point for seed extraction. Some studies have shown the positive effect of postharvest refrigerated storage of fruits to obtain quality seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the fruit maturation stage on the germination of Swingle citrumelo (CS) seeds after the refrigerated storage of fruits and seeds. CS fruits were harvested at 180 days after anthesis (DAA); 210 DAA and 240 DAA. Fruits and seeds were stored in cold chamber for 0, 15, 30, and 45 days. Physicochemical analyses were performed on fruits (colour, soluble solids, acidity and ratio) and seeds (water content, germination, and emergence). Germination of seeds extracted from fruits harvested at 180, 210, and 240 DAA, without refrigerated storage, showed a positive correlation with colour index. The refrigerated storage of fruits and seeds extracted from fruits harvested at 210 DAA, increased the seed germination rate. Peel colour (IC) was correlated positively with the germination of Swingle citrumelo seeds. The results of this study revealed that the absence of refrigerated storage, harvesting Swingle citrumelo fruits, with ripe characteristics (end of harvest), results in a high seed germination rate. On the other hand, refrigerated storage of fruits and seeds extracted from fruits harvested at mid-harvest increases the seed germination rate.

Highlights

The seed germination rate is one of the main attributes to be considered in the implantation of a crop [1]; for several crops, there are minimum standard germination values required by law for seed marketing
There was an influence of the harvesting time on the colour index (IC) of fruits, and in fruits harvested at 180 days after anthesis (DAA) and 210 DAA, an increase in IC was observed after storage in the cold chamber (Figure 2A)
Fruits harvested at 180 DAA, which initially had green peel (Figure 1), presented colour index of −11.34, reaching 0.61 at the end of 45 days of storage, which shows that there was peel pigmentation, making it more yellow

Summary

Introduction

The seed germination rate is one of the main attributes to be considered in the implantation of a crop [1]; for several crops, there are minimum standard germination values required by law for seed marketing. In the specific case of citrus, some varieties have presented germination uniformity problems, which may be related to the harvest of immature fruits or due to seed dormancy [2]. Raf.), for example, in addition to presenting germination uniformity difficulties, presents variations in fruit and seed maturation, and seed desiccation intolerance [3]. Swingle citrumelo is one of the preferred rootstocks used in Brazil due to its tolerance to citrus sudden death, a severe disease found in the late 1990s in the Southwestern state of. Nurseries have faced concerns in the production of seedling rootstocks, such as poor germination and low seed storage potential [5]

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